Accelerating offshore wind development through integrated 3D surveys

This article authored by Allan McKay appeared in PES Wind, Issue 4, in November 2025.

Offshore wind development is accelerating globally, driven by ambitious energy transition goals. Yet, one of the persistent bottlenecks in project timelines and budgets is site characterization. Traditional approaches are often sequential and fragmented, and struggle to keep pace with the scale and complexity of developing modern wind farms. This article explores how integrated Ultra-High Resolution 3D (UHR3D) geophysical and hydrographic surveys offer a transformative solution, enabling faster, more precise and cost-effective site characterization.

Depth slice through an UHR3D seismic image of the subsurface (top) together with (middle) an indication of soil property variation linked to stiffness (in this case seismic propagation velocity determined via an advanced imaging technique called Full Waveform Inversion) with a composite image of both (bottom)

The challenge of site characterization

Before construction begins, developers must understand the seabed and subsurface conditions to design safe and cost-effective foundations. Conventional workflows typically involve multiple surveys over several years, starting with reconnaissance-level 2D seismic and hydrographic data, as well as preliminary geotechnical sampling and testing. Both geophysical and geotechnical surveys that follow are iterative as the level of commitment to developing the site grows and more detailed knowledge of the seabed and subsurface is sought.

This cyclical approach introduces delays, increases costs, and often leaves residual uncertainty in subsurface models as ultimately the subsurface is not investigated in 3D. Methods to interpolate between data points and profiles must be employed.

Why 3D UHR matters

3D seismic methods have long been a staple in hydrocarbon exploration, but their application in offshore wind is new. The shift from 2D to UHR3D seismic data enables full volumetric imaging of the shallow subsurface soil units, e.g. up to 100 m for offshore wind. This also enables improved detection of geohazards such as boulders and quantitative prediction of soil properties, including soil stiffness and strength.

The full coverage 3D data enables enhanced integration with geotechnical data and can support an optimized geotechnical sampling and testing approach that could reduce the need for dedicated deep geotechnical testing at every foundation or anchor location.

Read the full article here.